Sacrifice

Chapter One

Crybaby stood outside, nervously pacing as she waited for her bus to arrive. This would be the first time she went to a local school again with all her friends- and enemies- since the traumatic experiences of K-12. She looked up as she heard the faint sound of an engine approaching, and she couldn't help but grin at the sight of a normal, worn-down yellow bus instead of a 'perfect' pink one. The bus stopped in front of her and the doors opened, allowing her to step inside. She scanned every seat until she saw her best friend Angelita. They smiled at each other, and Crybaby rushed to the open space next to her.

"So? How excited are you?" Angelita asked happily.

"Beyond excited," Crybaby sighed, almost in shock of what was happening. They must've been the only students in the world who were this excited for school. Flashbacks from times at K-12 replayed in Crybaby's head until she remembered Ben, and she was visibly happy at the thought of him. Angelita had been staring at her and noticed the smile on her face. She smirked, "What are you thinking about?"

Crybaby was pulled out of her fantasies. "Oh... just Ben," she giggled quietly. Angelita tried to smile but she couldn't stop her heart from sinking. Crybaby could feel the change in her energy. "What's wrong?" she asked Angelita, her smile now replaced by a concerned expression.

"Nothing. It just took me a second to remember the name," Angelita responded cautiously.

"How? We talk about him all the time," Crybaby said, unintentionally rubbing salt in Angelita's wound.

"I'm just thinking about school right now; I wasn't focused," Angelita said. Crybaby furrowed her eyebrows and decided to focus on something else. "So... how about not having to wear uniform now?" she asked a bit awkwardly.

"Yeah, it's nice." Angelita said mindlessly as she looked out the window. Crybaby sighed sharply and rested her chin on her palm, waiting impatiently for the bus to arrive at the school. And after what seemed like the longest bus ride of silent waiting, they pulled up at the school bus loop. Crybaby stood up and ran her hands down the soft layered skirt she was wearing. Although the school had no uniform policy, Crybaby still liked to dress as though there was one for her. Her clothing highlights her personality. Her skirt almost reached her knees. Her thin, long-sleeved shirt of a lavender hue was loosely tucked in. She was wearing ruffle socks and suede shoes with a buckle over the top. Her hair was dyed half white at the time, and she wore it in two voluminous braids. Angelita admired Crybaby's thoughtful choices of style even though her own was much different. Angelita wore a grey T-shirt, light blue jeans that were cuffed at the bottom, black high-top converse and loose curly hair. As Angelita stared at her from top to bottom, Crybaby turned her head to look at Angelita and make sure she was standing as well. Angelita stood up and they waited a few seconds to find an opening in the line of kids.

"Come on, girls, let's go," the bus driver called out, waving her hand as she looked at the two of them through the rear-view mirror. Crybaby made her way into the aisle and off the bus, and Angelita followed behind her. Once they were both on the sidewalk, Crybaby turned to her sympathetically, "You know you can tell me anything, right?" She said softly.

"Sure," Angelita responded sarcastically.

"You can. I've known you forever, we're best friends. For fucks sake, you saved my life. I would never judge you, Lita." Crybaby assured her. Angelita remained silent; she wasn't swayed. Crybaby sighed and put her hand on Angelita's shoulder, softly rubbing it as comfort, "Speak up when you're ready. You're safe with me, I promise," she told her. Angelita shivered at the touch and the soft tone in Crybaby's voice. She smiled shyly and looked down to hide it. Crybaby bent down a little and observed her smiling, making her smile too. "Uh... We should get going. We don't want to be late," Angelita said suddenly and began walking.

"And what happens if we are late?" Crybaby asked as she started walking next to her. They both stopped and looked at each other, turning their heads so quick their necks could have cracked. They shared a knowing laugh and continued walking.